Bill Murchison

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Bill Murchison
Personal information
Full nameWilliam J. Murchison Jr.
Born (1956-08-02) August 2, 1956 (age 69)
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Sporting nationalityFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States
SpouseKaren M. Murchison
Children10
Career
CollegeTexas Christian University
Turned professional1977
Former tour(s) PGA Tour
Professional wins1
Number of wins by tour
Korn Ferry Tour1
Best results in major championships
Masters Tournament DNP
PGA Championship DNP
U.S. Open T60: 1996
The Open Championship DNP

William J. Murchison Jr. (born August 2, 1956) is an American professional golfer.

Contents

Early life

In 1956, Murchison was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He grew up primarily in Iran, however, where his father worked for an oil consortium. His family spent fifteen years in the country, living in Aghajari, Masjed Soleyman, Tehran, and Ahwaz. He also learned to play golf in Iran, playing on oil/sand greens and dirt fairways.

Murchison attended college at Texas Christian University.

Professional career

In 1977, Murchison turned professional. Muchison was successful at Spring 1978 PGA Tour Qualifying School graduates. Murchison played on tour for three season but did not have much success. His only top-25 was at the 1980 B.C. Open. Murchison was successful again 1982 PGA Tour Qualifying School. However, in 1983 he only made the cut in 12 of 27 events and dropped off tour. [1]

During this era, when off tour, Murchison played extensively on the minitours. He won a total of thirty-four professional events on various tours, including the Spacecoast, North Florida PGA, and Mid-Atlantic Tour. In 1979, Murchison shot his career low round of 61, shot at the Goodyear Golf Club during a tournament on the National Golf Tour.

In the 1990,s Murchison played on the PGA Tour's developmental tour. His greatest success was a victory at the 1995 Nike Tallahassee Open. In addition, Murchison was briefly a member of the PGA Tour during this era, playing the 1993 season and participating in the 1995 U.S. Open and the 1996 U.S. Open.

Later career

In 1995, Murchison had a call from God to plant churches, and retired from professional golf to plant a church in Acworth, Georgia. While pastoring the church, he also served as a chaplain at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center. In 2010, Murchison planted the East Mountain Vineyard Church in Edgewood, New Mexico. After establishing that church, he started the Connection Church of Albuquerque. In 2021, Murchison moved to Rome, Georgia, and is planting the Connection Church of Rome.

In addition, Murchison served as the president and CEO of Murchison Drilling Schools, a company founded by his father, that trains oil field drilling personnel. [2] They provide training in drilling operations and well control. Murchison Drilling Schools was sold to Well Academy in January 2020, and the name was changed to Well Academy Murchison. Murchison stayed on as the GM through January 2022.

Personal life

Murchison is married to Karen. They have ten children.

One of his sons, Bill Murchison III, is a PGA assistant pro at Towne Lake Hills Golf Club in Woodstock, Georgia. [3] He played in the 2012 PGA Championship. [4]

Professional wins (1)

Nike Tour wins (1)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runners-up
1Apr 16, 1995 Nike Tallahassee Open −12 (72-70-67-67=276)5 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Olin Browne, Flag of the United States.svg Tom Byrum,
Flag of the United States.svg Peter Persons

Source: [1]

Nike Tour playoff record (0–2)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
1 1994 Nike Central Georgia Open Flag of the United States.svg Danny Briggs, Flag of the United States.svg Rick Pearson,
Flag of the United States.svg Charlie Rymer
Pearson won with birdie on second extra hole
21994 Nike Boise Open Flag of the United States.svg Keith Fergus Lost to birdie on second extra hole

Results in major championships

Tournament19951996
U.S. Open CUTT60

CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" = tied
Note: Murchison only played in the U.S. Open.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Bill Murchison". PGA Tour. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  2. "Bill Murchison, Jr. - President" . Retrieved July 10, 2012.
  3. "PGA Professional National Championship - Bill Murchison" . Retrieved July 10, 2012.
  4. "Canton Man Headed to PGA Championship". July 3, 2012. Retrieved July 10, 2012.